As Al recently reported, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln will return later this year. Prior to the downturn of the economy, Disney had planned to upgrade the attraction in line with the Hall of Preidents in Liberty square at WDW. Now with the recession on, the budget has been cut and the upgrades have been scaled back. Even, the headphones/audio 3-D elements added in to the dineyland show in 2001 will be eliminated.

Upgrade plans were in place to add president's George Wahington and Barack Obama. This idea of course has been dropped. I must say, that I will be plenty happy to get Abe back ..regardless of how modest the show is.

As much as I like George Washington, I believe that I will enjoy the show more with complete attention being focused on the life, times and inspiration of Abraham Lincoln. Don't care for Obama much. But, even if I did, I would feel the same as I do with Washington. Perhaps this economy indused modest version of the attraction is all for the better, anyway.

I'll take the show either way I can get it; while I would have loved the addition of Obama, I'm equally as happy to have an old-fashioned Lincoln show back.

In all truth, the idea of Obama never got hugely off the ground ... and not as much influence of the economy played into its dismissal as you might think. The idea of Obama (by many people, a controversial president AND addition) was something that was a 5-second idea, got leaked, and made to blow out of proportion (purposefully) for the benefits of attention, hits, and conversation.

Well .. the original 1965 show sent chills up my spine. 1984 and 2001 makeovers never did.

So ... if they do a '65 restoration .. with that emotional ending with the sky morphing into the flag ... with a full chorus of Battle hymn of the Republic .. I'll be happy.

I would like to see imagineering tackle this .. the same fashion they did with Sleeping Beauty Castle's walk-thru. They dismantled the 1977 remake .. and restored it pretty much they way it was when it first opened - 1957.

Do it for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - the ORIGINAL 1965 show ..... please.

If they want to change his speech around a bit .. fine ...
but restore the original ending I just mentioned.

Battle hymn of the Republic is a very strong melody .. with a very patriotic, emotional resonance.

My request .. don't truncate it .. like they did for the 2001 makeover.

I think blaming every single cut made in the last year on the economy is not accurate. Unless you know for a fact that the economy, specifically, was the reason given by Disney to change their plans, it shouldn't be dragged out as *the reason* for whatever change in the plans have happened.

As of now, no one really knows exactly what will & won't be in the new Lincoln show, except that Obama will not be in it.

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." -- James 3:13

I think it's totally fine...though it would of been cool to have a Hall of presidents kind of thing since that was the original idea before they took it down a notch with just Lincoln. I like Obama, but it would be strange to see him in AA form, and he hasn't been in office long enough to be THAT iconic...you know?

I would also be very happy if they go back to the score they used in the 1965-1983 version of the show.

Clean up the audio tracks.

I'm not a fan of the somewhat bland musical arrangements used in the various music scores for the various shows in the DLR today. I cringe at the elementary sounding "Remember" .. and OHHHHH "Light Magic". OICH!

Frank ... I have a sick headache!!

I don't know how many have ever noticed this .....
but musical arrangers pre 1970 .. have more complex "bells and whistles" to their overall sound.

Just play the opening of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on your main stereo .. and then play "Remember" ... Maybe you'll get the idea.

Back on topic ....
I can remember that spirited "John Phillip Sousa" rendition of Battle Hymn in the Lincoln show .. and I just melt! I do to this day!

I am very happy it is finally returning. I am all for the original 1965 version with the flag morphing thing and Battle Hymn. No headphones, please.

The flag morphing and Battle Hymn gave me tingles and chills.

Originally Posted by Tomorrowland_1967

I would also be very happy if they go back to the score they used in the 1965-1983 version of the show.

Clean up the audio tracks.

I'm not a fan of the somewhat bland musical arrangements used in the various music scores for the various shows in the DLR today. I cringe at the elementary sounding "Remember" .. and OHHHHH "Light Magic". OICH!

Frank ... I have a sick headache!!

I don't know how many have ever noticed this .....
but musical arrangers pre 1970 .. have more complex "bells and whistles" to their overall sound.

Just play the opening of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on your main stereo .. and then play "Remember" ... Maybe you'll get the idea.

Back on topic ....
I can remember that spirited "John Phillip Sousa" rendition of Battle Hymn in the Lincoln show .. and I just melt! I do to this day!

Though not from the Mr. Lincoln show, here is a link that relays the feeling of the show ..a history in pictures of our 16th president set to a powerful rendition of Battle hymn of the Republic (orchestra and choir) -

Remember is a captivating and exciting show, for a large part due to it's musical score. But, the Wonderful World of Color theme song touches me deep inside, as did the Wonderful World of Disney theme song.